David Warner bats during day one of the match between South Africa A and Australia A at Tuks Oval on July 24, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa. Source: Getty Images

DAVID Warner has blazed his way back into Test contention with a rapid 193 for Australia A against South Africa A in Pretoria.

The dynamic left hander now appears certain to play in the third Test at Old Trafford, beginning next Thursday.

Dismissed on the last ball of the day, Warner faced just 226 deliveries, hitting 29 fours and a six batting at number four, as Australia A romped to 5-399 at stumps. Glenn Maxwell was unbeaten on 103.

After persistent middle order collapses in this Ashes series Australia has been crying out for some positive news on the batting front and Warner has provided it.

"It's a weight off my shoulders,'' Warner admitted on 2ky Sport radio this morning. "I haven't played a lot of cricket over the last 30 days so it is exciting.''

"I've had a lot of congratulations and well dones,'' he said when asked if he had been contacted from England.

Asked if he was ready for Australian selection he said: "Definitely. My hand has always been up. It is always good to have confidence and time in the middle. Hopefully I do get picked."

David Warner bats during day one of the match between South Africa A and Australia A at Tuks Oval on July 24, 2013 in Pretoria, South Africa.

He will return to England on Sunday, the last day of a three-day match between Australia and Sussex at Hove.

That match now holds extra significance for Phil Hughes and Steve Smith to make a score that will keep their place in the Test team.

Both made fine half-centuries in the first innings of the opening Test at Trent Bridge but have failed three times since.

While Usman Khawaja, top-scored with a gutsy 54 in the second innings of the second Test at Lord’s after replacing Ed Cowan in the team, Smith made only 2 and 1, although he claimed four wickets for the match, while Hughes managed just 1and 1. Australia tumbled to a 347-run defeat.

An opening batsman since his international career took off two years ago, Warner was pencilled in to bat at number six on this tour to get him away from the moving ball.

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